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Make: MAC (Manufacture d’armes de Châtellerault)
Model: 1950
Serial Number: A 0.859
Year of Manufacture: ca. 1953. The first 100 pistols came off the production line on June 1, 1953, and the first 10,000 all had the “A” prefix. This pistol, based on the serial number, was the 859th made, suggesting almost certain manufacture in mid-1953.
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Magazine-Fed Single-Action Semi-Automatic Pistol
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “M.A.C”. The right side of the slide is marked “MODELE 1950 / CAL. 9mm”. The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number “A 0.859”.
Barrel Length: 4 3/8”
Sights/Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the slide. The rear sight is a “U”-notch that is integral to the slide.
Stock Configuration and Condition: The grips are two-piece serrated black molded plastic panels. The smooth areas on both panels have moderate nicks and scuffs throughout. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips rate in Very Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Blue/Plum
Finish Originality: Refinished. When the pistol originally left the MAC factory, the slide and frame were a light gray parkerized. At some point in the past, some of these MAC Modele 1950s were re-blued, and the harder parts took a “plum” color, while the softer parts took the blue color. The slide, hammer, and small parts have all turned a pleasing “plum” color on this piece. The barrel was left “in the white”.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray, the rifling is well-defined. There is light erosion throughout as well as some minor stubborn fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates at 7.5/10.
Overall Condition: This pistol retains about 92% of its current metal finish. There is pitting under that current metal finish. The slide has light thinning on operable edges. The frame has light to moderate thinning on the front edges. The grip screws are lightly tool-marked, and the slots are strong. The pins and controls are free of any notable wear or damage. The markings are generally clear. Overall, this pistol rates in Fine Condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The slide has light play to the frame. We did not fire this pistol. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: This pistol comes with one vintage original French Modele 1950 9-round magazine stamped “1950” on the bottom floorplate. It has also been re-blued, and carries “FRENCH 1950” hand painted in white at the lower left side of the body. Also included is a modern made zippered soft case.
Our Assessment: On October 30, 1946, the French Army General Staff instituted a program for the development of a new type of semi-automatic pistol. The French military desired a modern and effective handgun, and one that could be general issue to all branches. Several manufacturers were considered, including Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Saint Étienne (MAS), Societe Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques (SACM), and SIG. Ultimately, the MAS design was chosen, which incorporated elements of the Colt 1911 with the previous French M1935S and M1935A pistols. While the MAS design was chosen, it was Manufacture Nationale d’Armes de Châtellerault (MAC) that started mass production, with the first 100 pistols coming off the line on June 1, 1953. A few thousand per month were made thereafter for the remainder of 1953, and those pistols were immediately sent to Indochina, where the brave French Legionnaires and Paratroopers were facing “hell in a very small place” at Dien Bien Phu.
This French Indochina MAC Modele 1950 Semi-Auto Pistol is Serial Number A 0.859. The first 100 pistols came off the production line on June 1, 1953, and the first 10,000 all had the “A” prefix. This pistol, based on the serial number, was the 859th made, suggesting almost certain manufacture in mid-1953. It’s in Fine Condition as refinished, and features a 4 3/8” barrel, 92% of its re-blued finish (the slide, hammer, and small parts have all turned a pleasing “plum” color), rugged two-piece serrated black molded plastic grips, a vintage original French Modele 1950 9-round mag, sound mechanics, generally clear markings, and a gray bore with well-defined rifling, light erosion, and some minor stubborn fouling. A great relic of “Indochine Francaise”.